Keeping It Independent

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Corn Harvest (Finally) Rolling Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

It took a while, but corn harvest has finally hit its stride.

As corn growers, we’ve faced a rollercoaster of weather this season. The recent shift to clear skies and warm temperatures has provided a productive harvest stretch. Eric Wilson, Mike Witt, and Ryan Gentle discuss the latest yield results and the unique challenges they've encountered across the Corn Belt.

Tune into this week's episode for a deeper dive into the specifics of this year's crop performance and the stories behind the numbers.

Links discussed in this episode:
Between the Rows® - Stalk Rot
Wyffels Trial Results Map

Harvest Progress Report

Wyffels Hybrids 2026 Product Spotlight Videos

Host: Eric Wilson, Ryan Gentle, Mike Witt
Producers: Nick Helten, Jen Askew

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Sprout of Control? Vivipary, Grain Quality, & Insurance Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

As harvest season progresses, staying informed and proactive about potential issues can make all the difference. For growers facing the challenges of vivipary and other quality concerns, having a clear plan and an understanding of insurance policies can help navigate this unpredictable season.

On today's episode, Eric Wilson chats with Iowa State University - Extension and Outreach's Eric Weuve about vivipary, managing the impact of recent weather on corn quality, and navigating crop insurance.

Links discussed in this episode:
Between the Rows® - Stalk Rot
Between the Rows® - Premature Sprouting of Corn (Vivipary)
Iowa State University - Worth a Phone Call to Your Crop Insurance Agent?
AgWeb - Why You Need to Call an Insurance Adjuster Before the Combine Rolls
Iowa State University - Grain Quality Concerns with Recent Wet Weather

Harvest Progress Report

Wyffels Hybrids 2026 Product Spotlight Videos

Host: Eric Wilson
Guest: Eric Weuve, Farm Business Management Field Specialist - Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Producer: Nick Helten

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Research & Production Harvest Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

Ever wonder what harvest looks like behind-the-scenes at a seed corn company?

While corn growers across the Midwest are getting rolling with harvest, the Wyffels research and production teams are managing their own harvest tasks.

On this week's episode of "Keeping It Independent", we explore how these teams managed a challenging 2026 growing season to develop and deliver products for 2027 and beyond.

Join Eric Wilson, Dr. Shane Meis, and Matt Carton as they share their experiences and insights on navigating the unpredictable weather patterns and the impact on corn production.

Links discussed in this episode:
Our Independent Corn Breeding Program
Seed Corn Production at Wyffels
Wyffels Hybrids - Harvest Progress Report
Product Spotlight Videos

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

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Hosts: Eric Wilson, Matt Carton, Dr. Shane Meis
Producer: Nick Helten

Corn Crop: Ahead of Schedule Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

It might only be mid-September, but it's already looking like October across the central Midwest. The corn crop is ahead of schedule, and it's time to make sure your harvest plan is in place.

On today's episode, the Wyffels Agronomy Team talks early yield results, crown rot concerns, and other harvest considerations.

Links discussed in this episode:
Between the Rows® - Stalk Rot
Farm Rescue + Wyffels Hybrids

Harvest Progress Report

Wyffels Hybrids 2026 Product Spotlight Videos

Corn Belt Award & Scholarship

Hosts: Eric Wilson, Ryan Gentle
Producer: Nick Helten

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

The Crown Rot Complex Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

Too much rain? Not enough rain? Too much heat? All of the above at certain times? It's been a stressful year for the corn crop across the Midwest, and we're starting to see the impact in September.

On today's show, Wyffels Area Agronomy Managers Eric Wilson and Andy Swanson review crown and stalk rot concerns as we enter the dog days the growing season.

In the second half of the show, we check in with Iowa State's Dr. Erin Hodgson about corn rootworm pressure (or the lack thereof) in 2026.

Links discussed in this episode:
Wyffels Hybrids Yield Calculator
Between the Rows® - Stalk Rot
Wyffels Hybrids - Corn Rootworm Monitoring Program
Iowa State University - Dr. Erin Hodgson
Iowa State University Mesonet

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Mud or Dust? Making the Right Late-Season Calls Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

A tale of two seasons in the Corn Belt.
To the west, dust. To the east, mud.

What does it all mean for the corn crop in these areas? Well, the answer might surprise you.

Crop development is ahead of normal in many parts of the Corn Belt, with some fields approaching full dent or even half milk line earlier than expected because of heat and stress.

Wyffels Area Agronomy Managers Eric Wilson and Jared Goplen break down what they're seeing in corn right now across very different environments. The conversation focuses on grain fill stage, crop health, and how drought or excess moisture is already shaping yield potential and stalk integrity. They also share a practical framework for deciding whether late fungicide applications still make sense.

Links discussed in this episode:
Wyffels Hybrids Yield Calculator
Between the Rows® - Stalk Rot
Wyffels 80th Anniversary Customer Appreciation Event
Crop Protection Network - Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Corn Foliar Diseases
Crop Protection Network - Southern Rust Map
Crop Protection Network - Tar Spot Map
Iowa State University Mesonet

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

Hosts: Eric Wilson and Jared Goplen

Producer: Nick Helten

#Corn #SeedCorn #Agronomy #Agronomics #Farming #rowcrops #podcast #farmtalk #agribusiness #seedcorn #flooding #MidwestWX #minnesota #iowa #stalkrot #drought

Corn Disease 101 with Alison Robertson Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

It's time for some Corn Disease 101.

For our 101st episode, we're going back to school with Iowa State University Extension Field Crops Pathologist Alison Robertson to learn everything about 2026 disease pressure.

She talks with Wyffels Area Agronomy Manager Eric Wilson about the Corn Belt's "yo-yo" weather that's kept disease mostly in check this year. Then they do deep dives on tar spot, southern rust, gray leaf spot, and more.

While this season may feel fairly uneventful for those monitoring crop health, Alison’s insights remind us that knowledge is power. Understanding the diseases present, even at low levels, can help farmers make informed decisions about their crop management strategies.

Links discussed in this episode:
Crop Protection Network - Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Corn Foliar Diseases
Crop Protection Network - Southern Rust Map
Crop Protection Network - Tar Spot Map
Iowa State University Mesonet
Between The Rows® - Southern Rust
Between The Rows® - Tar Spot

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

Host: Eric Wilson

Producer: Nick Helten

#Corn #SeedCorn #Agronomy #Agronomics #Farming #rowcrops #podcast #farmtalk #agribusiness #seedcorn #flooding #MidwestWX #tarspot #southernrust #iowastate #iowa #grayleafspot

Celebrating 100 Episodes Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

Happy 100th episode!

August is here and the corn is looking, by and large, pretty good. But we can't take our eye off the ball! Disease pressure is ticking up, and we all know how quickly a positive yield outlook can turn sour.

On today's episode, the agronomy team shares crop updates from Illinois and Iowa, checks in on aphids, and covers the latest on tar spot & southern rust.

Shoutout to our "junior agronomist", Gracie, for joining us to celebrate the milestone episode!

Links discussed in this episode:
Crop Protection Network - Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Corn Foliar Diseases
Crop Protection Network - Southern Rust Map
Crop Protection Network - Tar Spot Map
Iowa State University Mesonet
Illinois State Climatologist
Between The Rows® - Southern Rust
Between The Rows® - Tar Spot

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

Hosts: Eric Wilson, Ryan Gentle, Robby Meeker

Producer: Nick Helten

#Corn #SeedCorn #Agronomy #Agronomics #Farming #rowcrops #podcast #farmtalk #agribusiness #seedcorn #flooding #MidwestWX #rootworm #tarspot #southernrust #drought

Look Who's Back - Southern Rust Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Guess who's back? Back again. Our old nemesis Southern Rust is starting to pop up across the Corn Belt. And it's not the only disease creeping into local fields. As we approach August, there are several key management decisions to consider to help maximize yields this fall.

On today's episode, the Wyffels Agronomy team dives into fungicide efficacy, drought watch-outs, and what makes 2026 different from 2025.

Links discussed in this episode:
Crop Protection Network - Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Corn Foliar Diseases
Crop Protection Network - Southern Rust Map
Crop Protection Network - Tar Spot Map
Iowa State University Mesonet
Illinois State Climatologist
Between The Rows® - Southern Rust
Between The Rows® - Tar Spot

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

Hosts: Eric Wilson, Brent Tharp
Producer: Nick Helten

#Corn #SeedCorn #Agronomy #Agronomics #Farming #rowcrops #podcast #farmtalk #agribusiness #seedcorn #flooding #MidwestWX #rootworm #tarspot #southernrust #drought

Get to Know Our Agronomy Intern w/ Greta Hall Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

On a special episode of Keeping It Independent, we sit down with agronomy intern Greta Hall.

A Paris, Illinois native and University of Illinois student, she spent the summer traveling across the Central Corn Belt, working alongside farmers, sales representatives, and agronomists to gain firsthand experience for a career in agriculture. Greta was eager to share insights from her Wyffels internship.

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

#Corn #SeedCorn #Agronomy #Agronomics #Farming #rowcrops #podcast #farmtalk #agribusiness #seedcorn #Illinois #intern

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